Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

Kicks,

I just got back from a Casting For Recovery retreat here in Utah. The experience was worthwhile and enlightening. I actually want to pursue fly fishing more. Being on the river was a spiritual experience. I loved it. The volunteers during the retreat were helpful and kind. The only thing I didn't like was that I was the only advanced breast cancer survivor at the retreat. I have issues that the others can't relate to, but we all share this journey and have our own fears and joys. You will have a fantastic time!!!

Bonnet,

How are you doing? I just heard from the GI doc regarding the biopsy and it is breast cancer! He was very concerned about a bowel obstruction. I assured him I know what they feel like and will call him at the first symptom. Start Taxol on Thursday. My MO assures me that my quality of life will be good even on chemo. Hope you have good news..

Good morning,

Lovely outside with a really nice sun that won't overwarm us today. 

Judi, good to hear how much you enjoyed your retreat.  Water is a very spiritual entity for many people.  I am almost  always comforted if I can get around some water.  We all floated in it for 9 months before we were born.  It has an energy, a presence that usually tends to make one feel more calm and relaxed.  I use to live in southern California --- about a mile from the ocean.  Most of my time spent at the beach was used in picking out a wave, depositing all my cares and troubles on it and letting it go so far out on the horizon that those things that were on it were no longer my burden. 

We live now by a lake and not the sort of "horizon" I was used too --- but I still feel the calm of the water.  I can't imagine not being where there is water with the comfort it can provide. 

On today's menu -- I will go help my friend ( the one who had the fire ) attempt to give three kitties a bath.  Their mother disappeared and they have done quite well with the hand feeding ( kitten formula from Walmart ) and wet kitten food but no mommy to bathe them on a regular basis.  They really need a good wash-up --- so that is on for today.  Bet I'm glad when that is done.  I have in fact though washed kittens successfully.  They don't like it --- but they can't really get away so it gets done.

I'm going to have to once again ( sigh  re-incorporate some exercise, walking and other fitness routines in.  Haven't had the time to go to the gym or even use the walking track.  I'm feeling with the weather changing now ---- I can save my $12.00 ( walking track pass ) and just start taking the long walks we used to here in our neighborhood.  Just have to convince Dh if he comes along that we are not going to walk down by our friend's house as the walking always stops for a long visit.  We can 'stop' on our way back from the walk.  Some men are sneaky you know.

Thanks Shuf --- for the birthday wishes.  I have already forgotten I'm 70 so I'm definitely not having to FEEL different .  Hope you are all going to have a wonderful Wednesday. 

Blessings

Jackie

Wonderful News!!

Belated 70th Birthday wishes Jackie! I've found that I've felt better and have had more energy since turning 70 last Jan........who knew?!

Lurking

Getting ready to give it up for the night.  Got the three little kitties bathed this morning.  Went pretty well overall.  They looked pretty good, but I know they will need more in no time. 

Hope you are all going to have a good day tomorrow.  I work and then when I get off we will go to the Social Security office in Mt. Vernon.  Then a bite to eat, and home.  So, I won't be on here as much.  Got some plans for Friday but they might not work out.  Talked to a girlfriend and  we were thinking lunch and a matinee movie ( I don't have a clue what is playing right now ) but that all depends on when her Dh gets back from a little trip to Michigan. 

See you tomorrow.

Jackie

Because the divine goodness could not be adequately represented by one creature alone, God produced many and diverse creatures, that what was wanting in one in the representation of the divine goodness might be supplied by another.  For goodness, which in God is simple and uniform, in creatures is manifold and divided.  Thus the whole universe together participates in the divine goodness more perfectly and represents it better than any single creature.  -St. Thomas Aquinas

Excellent Actors!!

Linda,

Good to see you.  Also, glad that you are on your way to getting things handled.  It actually feels good to be doing SOMETHING to change your situation to the better.  Knowing you have something inside that isn't supposed to be makes you feel like you are sort at its mercy until you start handling it. 

We will all indeed be praying for a great surgery with all good after surgery indications and quick healing.  Hope you can get back to us and let us know you are ok. 

So tomorrow just know that we will be holding you in our hearts and minds and sending positive healing energies for  a great outcome. 

Hugs to you.

Blessings,

Jackie

Imagine your mind as a garden and thoughts as the seeds you plant.  Habitual negative,
 unhealthy, self-critical thoughts produce the weeds and thistles of depression, discontent,
 and anxiety in the garden of your mind.  Luckily, the opposite is also true.
 Consistently planting positive, healthy, constructive thoughts will yield a crop
 of beautiful feelings, such as gratitude, love, and joy.

 Sue Patton Thoele

Benign...such a lovely word. Congratulations!

Good morning,

I did indeed get to MEET the wonderful Sammy ( Samantha ) yesterday morning.  Oh she is just gorgeous and I'm in Puppy love again.  She is mainly black though lots of silver underneath and a lot of that silver will come out as she ages and begins to have regular visits to the groomer's.  I call it the beauty shop, but no Schnauzer cut too soon.  Just a really good trim --- that way her puppy look can be maintained for awhile. 

She is rather shy at the moment and both she and the other house dog ( a two and one half yr. old Yorkie ) can't quite figure what is going on.  I think the Yorkie will just take off "playing" at some point and then the bonding will happen quickly.  Sasha wonders why suddenly this new puppy person is being allowed to enter and muddy up ( to an extent ) her territory , but she isn't resistive so much as just not having figured out that it is indeed a permanent situation.  I will go tonight to work and see how much time I may have to between my first duty function and keeping the two dogs ok with everything.  It is a very large house for a very tiny dog --- so we will have to see how things go. 

I think I may have mentioned that I finished my work at my friend's house --- but things are starting to go somewhat quickly ( all the new flooring and carpet was installed yesterday ) and I'm going to help Mickie re-wash the inside of her cabinets, put in the rubber mats/liner after, then re-wash all the dishes etc. and back into the cupboards they do.  She thinks a couple of hours.  That would be great, but I think it could be longer.  No small thing to redo a total emptied kitchen.  I think I will run to Walmart's, and get a small pkg. of flour sack towels.  All of hers were tossed out.   Anyway --- I will try to get her going well. 

Otherwise --- just sort of the same old thing with much nicer weather.  Yesterday was hot and humid, today will be not humid and much cooler.  A great almost Fall day --- some leaves drifting off the trees ( but thankfully not too many yet ) squirrels hard at work eating nuts and hiding nuts, and a beautiful blue sky up above.  Just going to be one of those mainly perfect days that keeps the inside of you silently humming. 

Hope everyone else is going to have a fantastic Saturday.  Thinking of all of you always.  Hi to all who for whatever reason don't have time to stop in and chat a few moments.

Blessings

Jackie

Isn't that maddening, Anne!!!!!  I hope you are able to get something in later.  I've done that a number of times.  I use to long ago hit preview --- and which later I found was meant to allow you to see what had been written on opposite pages so as to fully respond.  I thought at the time it was more for sort of proof-reading what you wrote. 

That was back in the days I was still attempting to LEARN my way around my computer and it pains me to say how proud of myself I was then that I could CHECK my work and afterward -- submit my post so well. 

Other times, and it happens it seems to fast, I don't know exactly what I have done but poof --- the whole post goes into some outward bound entries invisible folder, to be I presume lost forevermore, totally irretrievable in any way.   I don't do it too often anymore and I'm so happy for that. 

We feel what we feel, when we feel it --- and later on we usually are never quite able to duplicate not only what we felt, but the perfect way we described it when we had the original first thoughts we wanted to share.  That is I'm sure what makes everyone that has done it so frustrated and irritated.  All the energy of an original thought generally only happens once --- even a few seconds later, it is beyond duplicating since each moment we live is a completely new one inspiring even minute changes in our own perception.  Grrrr.

Jackie

Gratitude bestows reverence,
allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies,
those transcendent moments of awe that change forever
how we experience life and the world.
- John Milton

Mags314 --- welcome to the Older Women.  Glad to hear you have clear margins and clean sentinel nodes.  Fortunately, we do get to make choices about our care and  no one here would ever say anything.  It is a personal choice between you and your Oncology team.  You do seem to have many issues and I am sorry to hear that.  It is a lot it sounds like to deal with everyday, but you also sound like you have a strong sort of feisty spirit.  I hope you will come back often.

The door is always open here with a bunch of wonderful women inside and we do all we can to appreciate and enjoy life even though we do have some burdens to shoulder from time to time.  Sharing with others gives you the opportunity to help carry someone else's burdens while they help carry yours so it works pretty well that way for us here.

We talk about almost anything and try to share a lot of the good things in life because we do have down days.  Others will chime in as they come on and find you.  Stay tuned and come often.

Blessings,

Jackie